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Vegetation damage in an oil field in the Niger Delta of Nigeria

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

A. A. Fagbami ,
E. J. Udo  and
C. T. I. Odu
A. A. Fagbami
Affiliation:
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
E. J. Udo
Affiliation:
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
C. T. I. Odu
Affiliation:
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Abstract

An investigation into the causes of massive destruction of the vegetation around Tsekelewu Oil Field in the Niger Delta was carried out. The 200 km2 area suffering varying degrees of damage was mapped and the damage quantified by photo interpretation of black and white aerial photographs. Soil, surface and ground water samples were taken from the various zones for chemical analyses which included the determination of pH, electrical conductivity and soluble salt analysis.

The results showed that salt accumulation decreased from the sea inland-wards, with some upsurge in the saline-fresh water transitional zone where the greatest damage occurred. The electrical conductivity of the ground water varied from 45 dS m−1 in the area of greatest damage to less than 4 dS m−1 in the fresh water zone where there was no apparent damage. The salt-tolerant species along the coast were not affected, but in the transitional saline-fresh water zone in which the electrical conductivity of ground water was greater than 30 dS m−1, all the vegetation including the relatively salt-tolerant white mangrove (Avicennia africana) were killed. This destruction is attributed to high salinity caused by salt water incursion from the sea.

Keywords

electrical conductivityfresh water vegetationmangrove vegetationNigeriasalt accumulationsalt tolerance
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , February 1988 , pp. 61 - 75
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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References

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